Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-23
EUROPEAN VAR FEELING

1uO SLfAlLCu nOIlu Is WaLCuluS VIII
much interest the varying fortunes OF the
political parties Of France and Germany
That war in the near future is inevitable
all concede to be fact; that it is neces-
sary or expedient is not agreed upoI
with any considerable unanimity. In
Germany the condition of affairs is some,
what anomalous. Bismarck forced his
demands upon the Relchstag for large
military supplies, and his memorable
speech put all Germany IN 8 warlike con-
dition. He emphasized the demands for
strengthening the army by utterances
which many interpreted to be q contem-
plated attack on France, and carried his
party VIGOROUSLY through the struggle.
He was supposed TO represent the king,
and doubtless did so, but It is known
that the king has lively aversion to war
of any kind if it can be avoided. He
lrecollects the horrors and carnage of the
last conflict, and in his declining years
does not want to see a recurrence of
them. Bismarck, too, is opposed to war,
and he can be said to represent Germany
in this respect. Germany believes in the
necessity of preparing for an attack. She
wants to remain vigilantly on the defen-
siYe. Nothing would induce the domi-
nant party to attsck any of her
neighbors excepting in the defense
of the national honor. She
cannot desire greater power or terri
torial acquisitions. The conquered
| provinces are hers, and she is doing all
in her power to eliminate French senti-
ment and French feeling from these
! provinces, terrifying the frontiers and
gaining daily firmer grasp on them
| The friendly relations existing between
France and Russia is another reason why
Bismarck desires to avoid war at the pres
ent time. While national pride encour-
ages him in the belief that Germany, with
the aid of Italy, could successfully en-
gage both Russia and France, he has
hopes that what would cost much treas
ure and blood on the field, can be accom-
plished peaceably by skillful diplomacy.
II he can succeed in binding Russia to q
POLICY of neutrality in the event of
Franco German war, the conflict which
is brewing between these two countries
will be speedily brought to final issue;
peaceably if possible, fOTCibly if neces-
sary. There is what is known as war
party in Germany, that does not take
such g sanguine view of the quiet policy
of diplomacy. At the head of this party
stands the venerable and Venerated Won
Moltke. Were his vote capable of decid-
ing Germany's policy, Prussian legions
would swarm the French frontier at once,
and, if possible, march to Paris. He be-
lieves that war with France is neces-
sary to maintain the tranquility of the
empire, and that it must come sooner or
later. He, in common with the German
people, believes that to defer the
dreadful day is to weaken Germany
and strengthen her enemy. Germany
cannot always exist under the present
dispensation. Her male population is
under arms taken from the productive in
dustries and made to be 8 burden upon
the country. Those who should be the
nations chief producers are purely con-
sumers No disarmament of the army is
possible so long as France continues in
her menacing attitude, and the speediest
way to remove the dangers of French
invasion is a fight. On the side of the
famous general is the young Crown
Prince Frederick William. The future
Kaiser has never done anything to endear
him to the people. The long season Of
peace gave him no opportunity of distin-
gushing himself. Naturally he will be
anxious to take his fathers place in the
hearts of his people as well as on the
throne, when the good old gentleman
finally concludes to pass away, and war
alone can give him this opportunity. In
military circles the war feeling is high
also. Young officers are ambitious for
speedy promotion. Old officers see their
lives passing away inactively, leaving no
record of deeds, daring and heroic-no
history, no fame. This is about the ex-
tent of what may be dls:inctively called
the "war party" in Germany. 1t is q
hopeless minority at present; very slight
causes might put it in the lead.
In France it is different. Here the war
party is dominant, snd is restrained only
by prudence, from taking the
field against the old enemy. She
wants Alsace-Lorraine. She wants her
forfeited national glory; she wants
revenge and employment for her soldiers
and something to quell the tempest which
Boulanger has raised. This can be OBJ
tained only by war. War to be sue
cessful must have the powerful assistance
Of Russia. While the friendship of Russia
for Ffance may be strong the cupidity OF
Russia is much stronger. She too has
score to settle. She wants CONSTANT
nople; she wants Galacis, and would not
think it Ill to be given Bulgaria. France